What is a record schedule?

A records schedule provides an approved retention period an agency has to keep a record.

A record schedule identifies records as either temporary or permanent and provides instructions on how to dispose records.

A record schedule is mandatory for all agency records regardless of physical form (i.e., paper and electronic records).

What is the general records schedule?

The General Records Schedule (GRS), issued by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides retention periods for temporary administrative records common to several or all agencies of the Federal Government. They include civilian personnel, fiscal accounting, procurement, communications, printing and other common functions.

Who is NARA?

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the Government's records keeper. NARA manages and preserves official government and historical documents. NARA also provides information on genealogy, veteran's military service, diaries, pictures, film, naturalization records and other historical artifacts such as the Charters of Freedom, Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. These records hold the government accountable for their decisions and actions as well as provide the history of how we have shaped this nation.